Mental Health Myth: People with Mental Difficulties are Violent

Myth: People with mental disorders are violent or dangerously unpredictable and volatile

Truth: This falsehood causes more difficulties for those with mental health issues than any other.  It is one of the main causes of communities refusing to approve treatment facilities within their borders and advocates for greater latitude in involuntary commitment and who is able to involuntarily commit someone.  Movies, TV, books, games and the media often tell us the inaccurate, stigmatizing tale that people experiencing mental illness are violent and dangerous.  

And many people believe it.  A recent national public opinion survey showed that a large proportion of individuals believe that that there is a strong association between mental disorders and violence.  Surveys have determined that over 60 percent of American respondents believed that those suffering from schizophrenia were likely to act violently towards others and over 32 percent believed the same about those with depressions.  

Yet the large majority of those living with a mental health difficulty are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Research has shown that only 3 percent to 5 percent of violent acts committed are carried out by individuals suffering from a mental disorder.  The fact is that those with serious mental health problems are actually 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime compared to others. It is quite likely that you know at least one person with a mental health disorder without realizing it. A large percentage of individuals with mental health issues are productive members of our society.  

Michelle Pruett Nostheide, director of public education at the National Mental Health Association (NMHA). Says, “In my position, I see outrageous marketing campaigns, movie trailers, commercials, even children’s toys, that paint an unfair picture of people with mental illness, or use mental illnesses as a source of ridicule or humor.  .“People that know someone with a mental illness or have one themselves are offended or saddened by these portrayals, but the real damage is done when people who have no experience with mental health accept these stereotypes and pass them on.”